General Government in Belgium.
It has happened recently in some places which are not at the present
time occupied by strong forces of German troops, military convoys or
patrolling parties have been attacked by surprise by the inhabitants.
I draw the attention of the public to the fact that _a record_ is kept
of the towns and villages in the vicinity in which such attacks have
taken place and that they must expect their punishment as soon as
German troops pass near by.
The Governor General of Belgium,
(Signed) BARON VON DER GOLTZ,
Field Marshal.
Brussels, 25th September.
NOTICE POSTED AT BRUSSELS OCT. 5, 1914, AND PRESUMABLY IN MOST OF THE
COMMUNES IN THE COUNTRY.
On the evening of Sept. 25 the railway and telegraph lines were
destroyed on the Lovenjoul-Vertryck line.
Consequently the two above-mentioned places on the morning of Sept. 30
had to give an account and to furnish hostages.
In the future the communities in the vicinity of a place where such
things happen (_no matter whether or not they are accomplices_) will
be punished without mercy.
To this end hostages have been taken from all places in the vicinity
of railroad lines menaced by such attacks, and at the first attempt to
destroy the railroad tracks or the telegraph or telephone wires they
will be immediately shot.
Furthermore, all troops in charge of the protection of the railroad
lines have received orders to shoot any person approaching in a
suspicious manner the railroad tracks or the telegraph or telephone
lines.
The Governor General of Belgium,
(Signed) BARON VON DER GOLTZ,
Field Marshal.